The Penn's Grove record., 1887-08-27
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Major Henderson was the most Oh
stinate man imaginable. For a whole
hour Lieutenant Mapleson tried TO
convince him that it was the hand ana
heart of Maude Henderson for which
he was pleading, her comfortable little
fortune being a matter about which
he was supremely Indifferent. At the
expiration Of the hour Major Hender-
sons decision remained unchanged.
ssSave a thousand pounds as a proof
of your attachment to my niece, and l
will give my consent to your marriage
with her. Under no other circum-
stances will l do So" This was the
extent to which the Major would COM
commit himself.
save "a thousand pounds indeedl
Why, a million would be equally pos
slble to a man of refined tastes with
but a paltry two hundred a year or so
besides his pay.
Maude waylaid her lover outside the
library door. Very pretty she looked
as she listened to dear Jacks angry
protestations, her cheeks flushed and
her brown eyes filling with tears.
sYou will be true to me, my dar-
ling?" pleaded the impecunious Lieu
tenant, as his arm stole around her
waist and his tawny mustache pressed
her rosy lips.
True to him? Indeed and indeed she
would be.
'You know, dearest, you will be
twenty.one in a f%ortnight's time and
your own mistress. My sweet II
will fly with her poor loving Jack then;
won't she?"
"Yes"-rather obviously. 1t was
hard to put aside the prospect OF being
followed TO the altar by a bevy OF dam
tlly arrayed bridesmaids, although she
was deeply in love. :,
True, she would 0 o be of age, and
consequently her own mistress, but
what would that fact avail her if she
were miles away from her loverr And
such indeed seemed likely to be the
case. for her uncle carried her off to a
small village in North Wales the day
after Lieutenant Mapleson had been
told of his fate. OF course she left a
note behind for dearest Jack" telling
him the name of the village to which
they were going and earnestly begging
him to do ''~something," although she
could think Of nothing practical to sug-
gest.
On the morning of her twenty-first
birthday Maude came down TO break
fast looking fresh, and even happy.
She had honestly tried to be miserable
for a whole fortnight, and had sue
ceeded for two days. With youth and
health it IS almost impossible to be
thoroughly out of spirits for any length
of time, however much n may be
experiencing the truth OF the proyerb
about ''true love" etc.
The landlady's bright-looking daugh-
ter brought In the coffee and rolls.
"Mrs. Evans, opposite, has let her
front rooms, Miss" she volunteered.
IA gentleman all by himself came and
took them last night"
A gentleman, and alonel Maude's
spirits rose. "Did you happen to hear
Mrs. Evans say what her new ledger is
likeP / suppose, added naughty, de-
ceitful Maude, ''he is an elderly gen.
tlemanP"
Eyes, Miss, quite. He's a bit lame,
walks with a stick, and has a long,
gray beard. His names Mr.. Browne"
Maude's spirits fell again. AT break
fast, however, she mentioned the new
arrival to her uncle.
Major Henderson was beginning to
find North Wales a little dull, so he
listened rather readily, thinking that
there might perhaps be a prospect OF
having some one with whom to smoke
a friendly pipe.
In the course of the morning, when
Fho x,na1a md nfonn prara aifftnn In nnQ
of the many beautiful glens in which
the neighborhood abounds, Maude saw
a bent figure approaching, walking
with a stick.
81 think, uncle, that must be Mr..
Browne, Mrs. Evans new ledger" she
said.
Her uncle looked up from his book.
s'Out of health, l should say" WAS
Major Henderson's comment. "iIe
doesn't look old enough to be 80 M
firm"
When the stranger came up to them
he paused, and inquired the way to tile
Swallow Falls.
Maude started. That voicel Her
uncle, however, merely made a cour'
teous reply. Evidently his suspicious
were not aroused. e
Excuse me-" continued the stran-
ger, ''Dut have l not the pleasure OF
addressing one who is a neighbOr for
the time beingr / fancied l saw you
come out of Honeysuckle Cottage this
morning with your daughter"
"Yes, sir, you are right-at least my
niece and l are staying opposite to
you"
"Your nieceP" and the stranger po-
litely raised his hat as he glanced at
Maude. 'May i inquire If you have
been making a long stay in the neigh
bOrhood? 1t is the first time l have
visited Moth Wales, and / should be
glad to know of the principal spots OF
interest in the immediate vicinity. My
health is 70 shattered that l cannot
undertake long excursions"
This Is the commencement or our
third week" replied the Major. Like
yourself, we have chosen rather to enjoy
the scenery within walking distances
in preference to travelling about by
rail or coach. My niece has been a lit
tie ugset lately. SO We came here TO re
crult her health"
Maude flushed up Indignantly. TIC
speak of the cruel blow which had
been dealt her as il 1t were a mere
nothingl
1.-THE young lady is looking so fresh